I believe the main reason is a lack of research and planning,then financial.To many people get sucked in to thinking repairs and upgrades are a snap that any one can do with a 12mm socket and phillips head screwdriver.
How often have we read about bolt straight in transplants and up grades to brakes,suspension etc.etc.the list goes on and on and it's in the main a load of crap,requiring far more than remove and refit in reality.
I know most people mean well when expressing thier views on this forum but sometimes the devil is in the detail,and this is not fully explained at times and the un wary get sucked in cause they have not researched thier intentions fully,including tools and skills required to perform these tasks and in time loose interest.

Unexpected things can happen in peoples lives too.

Luke and i both wanted my wagon to be finished by May, but a few things have arisen sinse purchasing the wagon.

I am due for a few kneesurgeries this year after blowing out my knee in October last year. Money that would have been put towards the wagon are now being saved and spent on various doctors and the such for me Time i would have spent on the wagon has pretty much gone as i can't even stand for long periods of time, without suffering the consequences of being in immense pain that means it stops me from playing properly with our kids.

The ute we have that is an unfinished project of mine was put on hold as we got the wagon to rebuild as in regards to having 2 young children its better to drive the wagon as the baby cant be put in the ute.

So as you can see different scenarios can unexpectedly arise for people. I understand what is being said as i have personally seriously considered selling my ute shell, which is completely stripped of bog and rust....we had it soda blasted and did more work on it and is now just sitting in the garage in primer waiting for work to be done to it. But then think that eventually we will get around to it in a few uears but for now we go to great measures to make that that the shell doesnt go to #### and rust just sitting there doing nohing but taking up space.


Another thing is also we got the wagon after i had the baby, but went back to work earlier then expected, and then i switched areas at work and became Day shift instead of night shift.

Things happen which affect many things in relation to projects getting half done

If you remeber the "how long has your project taken thread" - some of them are 5 years + and still unfinished.

I Totally agree, I am in the same boat here... lots of unfinished work on my projects but there are priortities in life like school fees, cost of living that keeps on increasing! My wife had a heart attack and mild stroke and this brought on huge medical bills that are not all covered on medical insurance.... so very little or sometimes no money can be spent on toys for at least 6 months... Instead of getting furstrated when progress are slow I rather tuck the project car away in the shed and wait untill I can spend some money again. Like my wife says, " It is paid for and it does not ask any food when it is in storage" Better days will come again and I am surely not going to give my cars away for a riducules price and feel sorry later when I see some other bloke drive off with it!

So many people by a car with the intentions of building a show stopper, they are full of enthusiasm, but they soon find out they dont have the skills, knowledge etc or cant find the funds.

My 1200 has been on the go 5 + years. I knew what was involved but got the $$$ calculations a bit wrong.

Had 12 months off due to painter stuff up, another slow 12 months due to working 500km away. Its now getting close and now I have a Baby due in June.

Its a valid point that so many retro vehicles get stripped and never get restored or hotted up. But it makes the ones around more desirable and appealing. Buy up now before they are all gone. Not just Datsuns but classic 1970's cars.

After hearing all the sob stories, my little ute is coming along great, 8 mth's on going, and its coming together.....

But when you have the right toolling and knowledgement "HOO CARES" how long it takes,
At the end you stand back and it makes it all worth it